A real orphan photo: Inez Chambers of Lyndon, Osage County, Kansas

This photo was taken in the 1890s, as that is when the photographer Harrison Ford settled in Lyndon, Osage County, Kansas. Mr. Ford died in 1905.  I find an Inez and Irene Chambers living with their Aunt Nancy Jane Spencer and her second husband Charles H. Spencer in 1910

Two of the children of Hiram Fortner of Fulton County, Illinois

It's about time for me to talk about family for a change,  or are these family?  I really don't know, but I am trying to figure out if they are in fact related to my husband. These photos were purchased from eBay and are inscribed on the verso as James Fortner and Susanna Fortner.  The photographs were taken in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.

They are two of the eight children of Hiram Fortner and Susanna LeMaster who settled in Clay County, Indiana.  Hiram Fortner was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, the son of Jonas Fortner. Jonas Fortner / Forkner was born around 1765 in Surry County, North Carolina and died about 1826 in Montgomery County, KY.  In 1790 he married Catron Allen.  In 1790 he is enumerated in the Green County, Kentucky Census Jonas Forkner born ca. 1765 and died ca. 1826. He married ca. 1790 and moved to Greene County, KY. , before 1800 and then to Montgomery County, KY. ca. 1803.

James Franklin Fortner
29 Aug 1839 Dick Johnson, Clay County, Indiana
20 Aug 1911 Sterling, Logan County, Colorado

Susannah Fortner Coate
20 Sep 1846 Clay County, Indiana
5 Nov 1923 Winfield, Cowley County, Kansas

A blended family: Delores Ripley and Arthur Goodwin first family photo

I am sure taking on the motherless family Goodwin family was no easy task.  Similarly taking on a wife who was previously divorced, was also challenging.  Delores Ripley had previously been married to Dan Mylrea, a painter in 1901.  In 1902, Dan is listed in Des Moines, where he is a painter.  According to many sources, he was a scene painter.